New Trial for ‘Brother’ as Jury Fails to Reach Verdict

The Demerara High Court recently ordered a new trial for Damien Bissoon after a 12-member jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in his murder trial.

After extended deliberations, the jury informed the court that they could not agree on whether Bissoon was guilty or not, leading Justice Peter Hugh to declare a mistrial.

Dead: Taj Anthony Jarvis

With the jury deadlocked, the court has ordered a new trial, leaving Bissoon in custody until further proceedings are conducted.

Bissoon, also known as “Brother” 37, formerly of Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown, is accused of the March 30, 2018 (Good Friday), murder of 27-year-old Taj Anthony Jarvis.

The incident occurred at the corner of Barr and Alexander streets in Kitty, Georgetown, where Jarvis was fatally stabbed during what was initially believed to be a robbery but was later suspected to be a staged confrontation over money.

Bissoon had evaded arrest for nearly four years before surrendering to the police in 2022. He was subsequently charged with Jarvis’s murder, which reportedly occurred after an argument escalated into violence.

Witnesses say Bissoon confronted Jarvis, demanding money, and when the argument intensified, Bissoon allegedly pulled out a sharp weapon and stabbed Jarvis in the chest and chin.

Jarvis was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by ambulance, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.